After a five-year hiatus, it is finally time for the T20 World Cup once again. The 2021 edition is upon us with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman hosting the competition this time. The tournament was supposed to take place in India but due to the worsening COVID-19 situation in the country, it was shifted to the middle-east.
Before the big names enter the competition, the tournament will begin with a first-round which started on Sunday. Four out of the eight teams from this round will make it to the Super 12 that is scheduled to start on 23rd October.
Here is all you need to know about the 2021 T20 World Cup’s first-round
Which teams are taking part?
The international cricket council gave the top 10 teams in the ICC T20I rankings on 31st December 2018 direct qualification into the event. Out of which the top 8 teams got a direct ticket into the Super 12 stage. The remaining two teams which were Sri Lanka and Bangladesh qualified for the First Round.
Meanwhile, six more teams join them at this stage after securing qualification in the 2019 T20 World Cup Qualifiers that took place in UAE. It is worth noting that the qualification had initially taken place for the 2020 T20 World Cup that was set to be hosted in Australia but the postponement of the tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic meant the teams were given entry in the 2021 edition.
The eight teams taking part in the first round- Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Ireland, Namibia, Scotland, and Oman.
What are the fixtures?
The eight teams are divided into two groups with four teams each. Group A consists of Ireland, Namibia, Netherlands, and Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, Scotland, Papua New Guinea, and Oman make up Group B.
Group B matches will take place at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi and the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. On the other hand all Group A matches will be held at Muscat’s Al Amerat Cricket Stadium.
Who will the qualified teams play?
The winners of Group A and runners’ up of Group B will join Australia, South Africa, England, and West Indies in Group 1 of the Super 12 whereas the first-placed team of Group B along with the team finishing second in Group A will come into the Group 2 which consists of India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Afghanistan.
